US Army SPC Tyler Jeffries and his platoon were sent on a special mission in southern Afghanistan. On October 6 2012, as Tyler was walking, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated by the enemy hiding in the bushes. Tyler remembers his platoon leader telling him to stay calm. He was rushed to a helicopter and taken to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he underwent several surgeries. When Tyler awoke from the first surgery, he realized that he lost both of his legs in the blast.
Tyler’s current home is not wheelchair accessible, which prevents him from doing daily activities on his own. To say thank you for Tyler's incredible sacrifice, the Gary Sinise Foundation has stepped in to build a specially adapted Smart Home for Tyler, his wife Lauren, and their daughter Ella. The home is located in Stansfield, North Carolina, and will be dedicated to Tyler on Thursday during a special event.
Thank you for your service, Tyler, and I hope you and your family enjoy your new home!
This video shows a bit about what the Gary Sinise Foundation is about.
Here are a few videos of some of the specially adapted Smart Homes that the Gary Sinise Foundation has built. This first one was dedicated to Alan Babin.
This home was dedicated to Nick Vogt.
This home was dedicated to Luis Avila.
And this home was dedicated to Cedric King.
Wow, the Gary Sinise Foundation does such incredible work! Thanks to them, and a MAJOR thanks to all of the brave men and women who serve our Country.
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About the Gary Sinise Foundation:
The Gary Sinise Foundation honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Through its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), specially adapted smart homes are being constructed for severely wounded veterans and first responders nationwide. Each one-of-a-kind home is customized to ease the everyday burdens of a wounded hero, their family, and caregivers. Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band, Arts & Entertainment Outreach, Serving Heroes, First Responders Outreach, and Soaring Valor. Its latest program, Snowball Express, serves the children of our fallen military heroes, surviving spouses, and Gold Star families. For more information, please visit GarySiniseFoundation.org.